Memories of the Past, Plans for the Future


Form, movement. Haze gave way to shimmering hints of images.

He was lithe as he stormed across the battlefield. Enemies that were more similar than not stood in his path, but not for long. A one handed blade sliced through enemies on his right while his left hand swung around to bring to bear the spell he'd charged- a streak of lightning shot through the one in front of him then arced to two of his nearby allies.

With more instinct than thought, his legs pushed down and leapt over the smoldering corpse in front of him and he drove his sword through a larger foe, one clad in heavy armor. He needed the extra height to deliver enough force to sink the blade deep into the weak spot at the neck, and the opponent's head fell two seconds before the rest of him.

More, so many more... a battlefield full of targets that would fall like wheat before his reaper.

And another part of him, a part that didn't quite belong, felt that echo and laughed.

A reaper indeed.


Harry sat up and looked around, gasping for breath in his confusion.

"What was that?" he asked to no one in particular.

A quiet voice floated to him from a soft breeze. "Ancient. Tired. Lost for too long. Skill and magic weaved together. Accept the memory and retain the knowledge before it too is gone."

He cracked his neck as he stood. The sickly green haze in the distance told him where he was- once again in the Fade, the land of dreams. "I suppose I should have known that would knock me out."

"You wouldn't be the outstanding young man I knew if you hadn't given him mercy."

Spinning around, Harry came face to face with Albus Dumbledore.

"As I recall, you didn't believe I was merciful enough, Professor," Harry replied with a snort.

"And you thought I was far too merciful," Dumbledore said with a slight bow. "Perhaps neither of our perspectives were completely right or wrong."

"Perhaps," he agreed.

"It is strange for me to see what elves are like in this world," the headmaster continued. "Yet at the same time, it is distressing to see they are often mistreated, just as the elves of our world."

"I'm surprised to see you of all people visiting me here, Albus."

"Perhaps it was the nature of that ancient warrior that drew me here," Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Maybe the symbolism of an old wizard brought me to your mind."

Harry chuckled. "You could be right. But, what of that ancient elf did you see?"

"Glimpses," he murmured. "It was enough to tell that the figure was male, elven, and skilled with both blade and magic. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate if Godric Gryffindor had been the one to appear before you instead. You do still carry his sword, after all. Regardless, I am glad to be here, and I am glad to see you doing so well."

"A new quest to save a new world," Harry shrugged.

"Something you have plenty of experience with, I should think." The headmaster stroked his long beard for a moment. "I wish you good luck."

"No words of wisdom for me?"

"Don't expect the war to be over once you've beaten the Archdemon," Albus replied.

"I know," Harry nodded. "I'll have a world to reshape. I could do no less for the magical people here."

"I have faith," Dumbledore added. "As I recall from your fifth year, you were an excellent teacher."

"Thank you."

The headmaster turned and began to walk off into the distance, his footsteps leading him into a misty fog. "Oh, do tell Fawkes hello for me, if you would."


"Harry! Harry, wake up!"

He groaned as his eyes opened, Morrigan's golden gaze staring down at him.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"A little bit of a headache, but nothing too bad," he answered as he sat up.

"What happened?"

"I absorbed a fragment of a memory." Harry stood up and stretched his limbs. "Long ago, an elven warrior dealt with his enemies with a melding of martial and arcane skills. That little piece left behind didn't want his abilities to be lost. It should be an interesting learning process to try to integrate those skills with what I already know."

Morrigan snorted. "'Twould be worth it if this means you'll be able to wield a sword without ending up injuring yourself in the process."

Harry grinned in response. "I think that my reckless nature is more to blame for that than my lack of fencing training."

"If you're feeling well enough, then we should go," Morrigan suggested. "The Veil is still thin here, and 'tis lucky that the spirits inhabiting the dead haven't already found us in this library."

"Good point," he replied as he looked around at the shelves of old books. Waving his wand with a flourish, he winked at her. "A preservation enchantment. I'll magically seal the door and come back later to transport everything."

"Where will you put them all?" she asked.

"It might be easiest to take them to the Circle Tower."

"You would leave this knowledge to the mercy of the templars?" Morrigan scoffed.

"I am more than capable of controlling templars," Harry chuckled. "I just don't have time to sort through books right now. However, I do know a few young researchers who could do just such a thing."

"That's better," she admitted.

"Shall we go?" Harry asked as he offered his arm.

Morrigan glared at his arm, knowing it was time to apparate again. "Fine. But you will spend some more time helping me to master that ability."

"As you wish."


Harry took them back to the outskirts of the Dalish camp, not wanting to draw too much attention- or set any arrows loose from nervous hunters. After all, they must have known their Keeper had gone into the forest alone.

And now Harry was bringing back his corpse, admittedly transfigured down to something more manageable, but there was no reason to make things more tense than he assumed they would be.

"There you are," Shale said once they got a little closer, the golem standing like a sentry. "I'll have you know that we only encountered two more of those possessed tree creatures on the way back here. It was a rather boring stroll."

Harry chuckled. "I'm sorry things were too easy for you."

"As you should be," Shale haughtily replied. "The drunken dwarf is complaining as well."

"I'll speak to him," he said. "Maybe I can take him somewhere to have some fun this evening."

"Come along then."

The golem led the way into the camp towards Lanaya, Zathrian's second. She would have to take over his role now, and Harry wondered if she was ready for the position. Her place was at the center of the temporary settlement, but the others of her clan all stayed a respectful distance away.

"Grey Warden," she bowed her head slightly. "Our Keeper is gone. Were you there when he died? The others told me to speak with you about it."

"I was," he admitted. "How could you tell he was gone?"

"Some of our ways are not spoken of to outsiders," Lanaya replied.

"I understand," he nodded. "Zathrian was a very old man, as I believe you already knew. What you may not have known is that he created the curse that turned those people into werewolves many, many years ago. It was bound to his pain and grief, and the only way he could undo the curse resulted in him dying. However, I assume this also means that your people are no longer infected."

"Yes, their infections have passed," she said. "Now I must step in to lead my people. In truth, I am not sure I am ready. Zathrian leaves a big hole for me to fill."

"I am sorry for your loss," Harry answered. "But I think you have already taken the right step. A wise man I once knew said that the best leaders were those who didn't seek power but did what they could to help others out of a sense of responsibility."

"I hope I can fulfill that duty," Lanaya agreed.

"I wish you luck."

"Thank you," she nodded. "But now that our clan is healed, I believe that means it is time for us to come to the aid of the Grey Wardens. The Dalish remember their oaths."

"I don't know where the next battle will come," Harry said. "But the darkspawn are bound to be gathering their forces for some major blow one of these days."

"I have sent runners out to alert the other clans nearby," Lanaya said. "When the time comes, you will have our aid."

"Thank you."

As respectfully as possible, he then returned Zathrian's body to her to allow them to practice whatever funeral rites the Dalish practiced. Harry made sure to use a notice-me-not charm before doing so though, in order to not stir up too much trouble with the rest of the clan.

Sirius and Leliana found them a moment later.

"Did everything go alright?" Sirius asked.

"Well enough," he shrugged. Morrigan snorted next to him.

"We need to do one more good deed today," Leliana smiled brightly. "Come this way. I believe it is time to reunite a couple."

"Ah, Danyla," Harry said. "Yes, she should be cured as well. What is her husband's name?"

"Athras," she answered as she pulled Sirius along with her, who was chuckling at her exuberance. "He's just over here."

They found the dour looking man worrying as he saw them approach. "Did you find anything? My Danyla, I... I wish I could have said goodbye."

"There's no need for that," Leliana cheerfully replied. "We found her alive."

"You did?" He was clearly shocked. "Then, where is she?"

"Ah, you'll have to give me a moment," Harry interjected. He looked around the area for a moment, noticing a tent not too far off. "I had to use some of my magic to help her. But before I wake her, we should probably have a bit of privacy."

"Why?" Leliana asked.

Sirius barked out a laugh. "You've never seen a werewolf transform back before. Do you remember seeing her wearing any clothes?"

"Oh..." the redhead blushed. "We'll leave you to it."

"My tent is right here," Athras replied, motioning to the one Harry had spotted.

Harry followed him inside, kneeling down and pulling the doll out of his extended pocket. Seeing the confused look on the elf's face, he started to explain even as he retrieved the antidote to the Draught of Living Death he had fed Danyla when she was still cursed.

"I know magic from a land very far away that allows me to do things you likely have not seen before." Harry set the doll in the middle of a bedroll and conjured up a blanket to cover her with shortly. "You will see a bit of this magic in just a moment. Try not to panic. Your wife will need you to help her adjust. She had given up and was begging us to kill her."

"Oh, Danyla," Athras sighed. "The curse was a terrible thing."

"It was," Harry agreed. "I hope she will be able to move past this, but she will likely need your patience and understanding. If she has any close friends or family, maybe the Keeper, people to talk to and comfort her-"

"I understand," the elf said.

"Okay, then." Harry pointed to the blanket. "Be ready to cover her with that, but be aware that she may still be a werewolf until I wake her- the curse might not be removed from her until I have undone all of my magic. She may not look elven at first, but I need for you to stay calm."

Athras grabbed the blanket and sat beside the bedroll as Harry transfigured Danyla back to her living form- and sure enough, she was still trapped in the lupine form. As her husband gasped, Harry held up a hand. "I believe she will recover in just a moment."

He then administered the antidote, using his free hand to help massage her throat to swallow it. Seeing its effects, Harry smiled as the fur disappeared and she shrunk down to her previous elven body.

"It worked!" Athras cried out as he leaned over and cradled Danyla's body.

A groan escaped and she cracked open her eyes. "Athras?"

"It's alright, ma vhenan," he said softly.

"No, I will infect..." she trailed off as she saw her hand. "But, the curse..."

"The Grey Warden and our Keeper were able to undo it."

Danyla looked over at Harry with tears in her eyes. "I can never repay you for this, Grey Warden."

"Neither of us can," Athras added.

"I am happy to be of help," he bowed. "With the coming of the Blight, the world needs every little bit of joy we can add to it."

"And the Dalish will help to drive the darkspawn back," Danyla said, as she tried to sit up. Harry looked away as her husband wrapped her body in the blanket. "You will have my bow at your side when the time comes, Grey Warden."

"Mine as well," Athras agreed.

"My friends call me Harry," he smiled. "Take a bit of time to recuperate while you can. I'm sure the battle will come soon enough."


"Now what?" Sirius asked once Harry had rejoined the others. "We've got the Dalish on our side. Anyone else we should track down with these treaties?"

"That's everyone," Morrigan said.

"We should return to Redcliffe and speak to Arl Eamon," Wynne spoke up. "If he is going to call for a Landsmeet to try to deal with Loghain's grab for power, we should let him know that our allies will be marching under the Grey Warden banner. He may need some time to prepare his troops, but otherwise, we should be ready to try to fix the mess going on in Denerim."

"Politics," Harry shook his head. "Yuck."

"Agreed," Oghren said. "Give me something big and nasty to kill any day over having to deal with bloody nobles."

"You know, I've got something to make you feel better," Harry said to the dwarf.

"Oh? Did you discover some old bottle of spirits in the ruins by any chance?"

"Not like that," Harry snorted at Oghren's one track mind. He looked around at the others. "If the rest of you will give us just a minute."

Harry grabbed the dwarf and disappeared with a crack.


Oghren was bent over and wheezing a moment later. "Damn you, Harry! Warn me before you do that!"

Harry chuckled and patted the dwarf on the shoulder. "I thought you might like to do something more fun than talk to human nobles."

"What do you...?" Oghren had looked up and spotted the lake nearby, with the Circle Tower sticking up in the distance as the sun went down, and then turned to the little tavern near the docks. "Felsi."

"Yep," Harry nodded. "Maybe you can have a pint or two?"

Oghren grinned. "Don't wait up, Harry."

"I'll be back around tomorrow. Sound good?"

"Go on already," the dwarf waved him off and strutted off to the tavern.


Harry was still grinning to himself when he returned to the Dalish camp a minute later.

"Did you turn him into a toad and leave him in a swamp, by any chance?" Morrigan asked.

"No, I took him to see a friend."

She raised an eyebrow. "That filthy, smelly little thing has friends?"

"Maybe a girlfriend even," he smirked.

"Ooh, I wish I had gone with you," Leliana giggled.

"Please tell me you cast a contraceptive charm on him," Morrigan sighed. "The last thing we need-"

"A little Oghren junior?" Sirius laughed. "Do you think it would be born with a beard?"

"I've never actually seen a dwarven child," Leliana snickered.

"Can we please leave this place?" Shale grumpily asked. "I saw a few flying feathered menaces on the way back from the werewolf lair and I would rather not risk any more time here than necessary."

"We should go speak to Arl Eamon soon," Wynne agreed.

"Let's get out of the Dalish camp first, and then we can be quickly on our way," Harry said.

Several elves thanked them as they passed. Varathorn, the master crafter, told Harry that he would need another day before his creations would be ready, so a return apparition trip would be warranted. Since the elves would not pass on the knowledge of their skills to outsiders, Harry was just going to have to examine the pieces and try to discover whatever processes they may use and unravel the mystery of creation.

It was something he was greatly looking forward to- especially as the dreams of the ancient Arcane Warrior told that it would be useful to craft a Spellweaver blade for himself to wield if he really wanted to try to put those skills to use on the battlefield.

Besides, Gryffindor's sword really was a bit too dangerous to wield regularly, unless Fawkes decided to stick around.

And speaking of which...

"Fawkes?" Harry called out as he unrolled the flying carpet once they were alone.

A brief pyrotechnic display revealed the immortal bird.

"Albus said to tell you hello," Harry said, chuckling as the phoenix let out a soft warble. "How have you been?"

"Can he really talk to you?" Leliana asked.

"Sort of," Harry replied as Fawkes stared him in the eye, images of a massive port city flashing by. "A new place you've discovered on your travels?"

Fawkes let out an angry, shrill tone and Harry felt something different.

"Dark magic?"

The phoenix nodded at him.

"Well, one problem at a time, my friend. We've got to stop these darkspawn first or all of these cities will be in danger."

Fawkes looked at him curiously and Harry smiled. "Don't worry, I've got a plan."

"We're going back to see the man you cured," Sirius piped up as he walked over to pet the phoenix. "Would you like to come with us?"

Fawkes leaned his neck back and forth for a moment, but then flew high into the air and disappeared in another burst of flames.

"I guess not," Sirius laughed.

"I think he's going to be busy exploring for a while," Harry suggested.

"To Redcliffe then?" Wynne asked.

"Let's go."


After they had eaten, Harry had been led off to a political meeting with Arl Eamon and his younger brother Teagan in a quiet room upstairs at Redcliffe Castle. Not wanting to force the others to deal with it, only Wynne had come along with him as the rest wisely decided to find something better to do with their evenings.

Morrigan's lesson on apparition would have to wait for tomorrow.

The explanation of the familial connections and marriages between the Theirins, Guerrins, and MacTirs brought to Harry's mind some sort of Shakespearean tragedy.

"So, let me see if I've got this straight," he mused. "Your older sister was King Cailan's mother, making you his uncle. King Maric Theiren was best friends with Loghain for many years, and they all fought together to drive out the Orlesians, thus partially explaining Loghain's bitterness and paranoia against allowing Orlesian Grey Wardens into the country, regardless of a potential Blight. But the fact that he would go so far as to betray King Cailan, who was also his son-in-law, seems like quite a big step to take."

Teagan looked uncomfortable for a moment but nodded at his older brother. Eamon sighed before he spoke. "Cailan had also had diplomatic discussions with Empress Celine of Orlais. Unlike many of her predecessors, Celine seems to prefer treaties and making deals over actual warfare, but her skill should not be overlooked. And she had recently made a suggestion of a more permanent alliance between our nations."

Wynne gasped. "You can't mean-"

"The idea that Cailan would put aside Anora to marry Celine," Eamon admitted. "It is distasteful to me as I still remember the brutality of the Orlesian chevaliers, but Cailan and Anora's marriage was a political one at first and whether or not true affection grew between the two of them, after several years there was still no heir for the throne. And sadly, that fact leaves us with an enormous problem as the Theirin line has come to an end."

Wynne interjected for Harry at that point. "King Calenhad Theiren unified and effectively created Ferelden as a nation four hundred years ago."

"Ah, I see how that could be especially bad," Harry frowned. "Did Loghain know about Celine's suggestion?"

"I believe not, but if he had learned of it..." Teagan's shoulders slumped. "Fucking Orlesians are still screwing everything up thirty years after we ran them out."

"Be glad my wife isn't here," Eamon added with an exasperated chuckle.

"If people learn what Isolde had done, they would want you to send her away," Teagan replied.

"I am already losing my son," Eamon said with a sigh. "I may lose her as well. She is very unhappy about Connor leaving us for the Circle Tower. But we should focus on the larger problems of the country for the moment. To remove Loghain as regent, we will need as much support as possible. If we can get Anora to side with us, that would be a huge boost."

Teagan agreed. "Our spies in the capital say she hasn't been seen in more than a fortnight. If Loghain is keeping her prisoner, she may join us to get the throne back."

"Yes, but even then, can we really trust her?" Eamon asked.

"Do we have any other choice?" Teagan countered.

"Not with Alistair gone."

"You should never have allowed him to join the Templars or the Grey Wardens," Teagan complained.

"Alistair?" Harry prodded.

"He was King Maric's illegitimate son," Eamon replied sadly. "King Cailan's younger half-brother. Unfortunately, with both of them lost at Ostagar..."

Harry hummed and sat back in his chair. It reminded him of the middle ages nobility ideal of having an heir and a spare. Losing them both at the same time was quite unfortunate. "How was Anora as a queen before all this happened?"

"Intelligent and cunning, but also quite headstrong," Eamon said. "In truth, she was a good balance for Cailan's more rash nature, and she was fairly popular with the people."

"Loghain wasn't always noble," Teagan suggested. "If need be, we could use that against either or both of them."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Maric elevated Loghain to his position as Teyrn of Gwaren due to everything he did in the war against the Orlesians," Eamon explained. "Anora was born as a noble, but neither of her parents had been so until a few years before her birth."

"That makes it even more of a mess," Harry shook his head. "I would hold off on doing anything with that line of thought until we find out if she could be a useful ally. Because once it is suggested, then you'll likely have several different noble families positioning themselves as the best options to take the throne."

"Which would make the civil war even worse," Eamon agreed. "Still, the need to call for a Landsmeet is there."

"How long would it take for your forces to be ready?" Wynne asked.

"Gathering the rest of my allies and then marching to Denerim?" Eamon stroked his beard for a moment. "I'd say ten days, if we don't run into the darkspawn along the way."

"Make your preparations," Harry replied. "The less time we give the darkspawn to amass their forces, the better things will be for everyone."

"We could reach Denerim much faster than that," Wynne pointed out.

"True, but I have a few things I need to do first," he answered.

"Such as?" Teagan asked.

"A trip to check on a few things with the mages," Harry said. "Plus, I need to get some supplies from the dwarves. And Morrigan still needs to learn to apparate."

"We both have our work cut out for us then," Eamon said.


Morrigan was reading when Harry got back to his room later that night. "Anything I need to worry about from the fretting nobles?"

Harry chuckled. "I'll handle those worries. But I do need to visit the dwarves. Would you like to come with me?"

"Tonight?" she asked.

He nodded. "The sooner, the better. It would be a chance for you to experience apparition again, which should help you to learn how to do it a bit easier."

Morrigan set the book aside. "Let us not tarry then."

Harry grinned, took hold of her arm and they disappeared.


There were plenty of stares when they popped into the walkway right in front of the king's residence, but the guards calmed once they recognized the Grey Warden. A runner was sent inside to find Vartag Gavorn, King Bhelen's most trusted advisor.

Harry didn't particularly like the devious man, but he had a need that would be easier dealt with if he jumped to the highest authority he could find.

"Ah, Grey Warden," Gavorn smiled as he led them inside and down a hall to find somewhere more private. "I trust things are going well?"

"Well enough for now," he replied.

"Excellent." They were soon in a room with a door shutting behind them and the guards left outside. "What can we do for one of King Bhelen's first allies?"

"I need coal," Harry replied. "Ten pounds at least, although twenty would be even better. It doesn't need to be refined or anything."

"Just raw coal?" Gavorn asked. "That shouldn't be a problem. One moment."

The dwarf stepped out into the hall. "Have Natia sent here immediately. A task has come up for her."

Morrigan whispered in Harry's ear. "What do you need coal for?"

"Alchemy," he said with a small grin. "I'll explain later."

A minute later, a young female dwarf entered the room. "You sent for me?"

"Grey Warden, you should remember Natia Brosca," Gavorn said.

She bowed and Harry smiled. "It's good to see you up and well."

"Thank you."

Gavorn interjected. "You've got your first assignment. Slip in with a Carta group going to the surface and deliver twenty pounds of raw coal to the Grey Warden. Coin will be provided."

"I can handle that," Natia replied. "Where should I head when I reach the surface?"

"The Circle Tower at the north end of Lake Calenhad," Harry said. "How soon can you be there?"

"Four days at most," Natia said. "With luck, only three if nothing goes wrong."

"Sounds good," he answered. "I'll meet you there."


A few minutes later, Harry and Morrigan were back in his bedroom in the magical tent. After she caught her breath and pushed away some nausea, she demanded an explanation. "Coal? Why?"

"Have you ever seen a diamond before?"


Author's Note: So yes, Harry has unlocked the Arcane Warrior specialization (effectively his second after blood magic.) He won't immediately load up on heavy armor though, as I'm not focused on game breaking powers.

Bonus internet points if you can guess what Harry's going to do with the coal. More will be explained next time. Take care! :)